- Cook Government protecting Murujuga rock art for the benefit of future generations
- New funding to support delivery of Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program
- $9.1 million investment to support World Heritage Listing requirements
The Cook Government is protecting Western Australia's natural environment with an additional $9.1 million to support the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) to undertake the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program (MRAMP).
Murujuga contains some of the world's oldest and most irreplaceable rock art. It forms a cultural landscape of exceptional global significance, and its protection is inseparable from the leadership and cultural knowledge of the Ngarda-Ngarli, who have cared for this Country for tens of thousands of years.
The rock art was listed as a World Heritage Site earlier this year with the support of both the Cook and Albanese governments, with the Cook Government now investing an additional $9.1 million to deliver the MRAMP.
This will support Aboriginal rangers, as well as enable MAC to meet UNESCO World Heritage Listing reporting requirements.
The MRAMP, which is being delivered by Curtin University, has so far demonstrated that responsible industry activity can co-exist with the protection of this extraordinary cultural landscape.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"My government is protecting iconic sites like Murujuga for the benefit of future generations.
"We have delivered major wins for Western Australia's environment, including ending native forest logging, committing to get out of government-owned coal before the rest of the country, and created national and marine parks equivalent to the size of Tasmania.
"This funding will now ensure the amazing natural values of this World Heritage Site are afforded the protection it deserves."
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"Murujuga is one of the most significant cultural landscapes in the world, and its protection must be guided by the people who have cared for this Country for tens of thousands of years.
"This investment strengthens the leadership of the Ngarda-Ngarli and supports the long-term transition of the monitoring program to Traditional Custodians.
"No government has done more to safeguard Murujuga's environmental and cultural values."
